Looking for the best Borderlands games? Since the series’ inception on PS3 in 2009, Gearbox’s cel-shaded co-op shooter has become a household name, merging Diablo-like loot gathering with chaotic first-person gunplay. To date, the series has spawned multiple instalments, some offering completely unique experiences, like the narrative-based Tales from the Borderlands.
Tales from the Borderlands proved there could be more to the franchise than just looting and shooting, but Gearbox did a dreadful job trying to create a sequel. While the original was loved for its memorable characters and episodic storyline, this sequel lacked the same level of charm, delivering an overly long narrative adventure with a weak plot and some unbelievably unfunny gags.
Borderlands 2 has, to some extent, Skyrim and DOOM energy – that is to say, it’s a game that’s been ported practically everywhere. For example, you can play the looter shooter on the PS Vita – and, in this instance, on PSVR. While this version lacks co-op, it’s still pretty cool existing within Gearbox’s cel-shaded world. And, despite not being included at launch, all of the DLC was added for free post-release.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel released at an unfortunate time. Available initially only on the PS3, the game deployed a full year after the PS4, which meant many missed out on it at the time. The game was eventually ported to Sony’s new console as part of The Handsome Collection, and despite being developed by 2K Australia, introduced some interesting ideas. Chief among these was low-gravity gameplay, a feature of the title’s moon-based setting, as well as oxygen supplies. It also added a couple of fresh weapon types, including lasers.
This Borderlands spin-off takes the loot-and-shoot gameplay fans know and love, then puts a fantasy spin on the whole thing. The result works pretty well, with the titular Tiny Tina acting as a sort of game master while you and your co-op companions explore a varied world. With a flexible class system letting you make your own unique hero, and of course a wide array of weapons and abilities to wield, this combines the chaos of Borderlands with the adventuring spirit of D&D.
Borderlands 3 took the shooting from the franchise’s previous games and turned it into something amazing. Bringing with it over a billion guns to loot, the sheer variety on offer sky-rocketed, an all-new feel that added weight to every bullet Vault Hunters unloaded. Throw a huge open world campaign into the mix along with online co-op, and you and your friends have the recipe for an FPS experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
When episodic developer Telltale, at the peak of its powers, announced it was making an adaptation of Borderlands, many were flabbergasted. While the Gearbox-created series had proven commercially popular, its loot system and co-op gameplay were what set it apart – not its often juvenile humour. Tales from the Borderlands, however, bucked all trends, bringing genuine depth to the universe and a cast of characters you actually wanted to root for. Not only was this one of Telltale’s best games, it’s also one of the best Borderlands games, too.
The game that started it all, Borderlands brought fresh energy to the dreary 2009 FPS scene on PS3. With a vivid cel-shaded art style, and Diablo-style loot, the co-op shooter felt like a breath of fresh air. While its comparatively lightweight campaign has since been bettered by its successors, the original still deserves credit for getting the franchise off the ground.
Like so many PS3-era sequels, Borderlands 2 refined the formula of the original game and made it a household name. Many of the gameplay systems remain the same, including the procedurally generated loot and emphasis on co-op – but with the franchise already well established, there’s just much more meat on this outing’s bones. An enormous post-release offering, spanning four expansions – including the fantasy-themed Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep – kept the title fresh beyond launch, and ensured its place among the best PS3 games.
And with that our list of the best Borderlands games is complete. Do you agree with the ordering, or do you believe a game has been done dirty? As always, this is your list determined by your ratings, so feel free to use the search tool above to submit your own scores for any of the above games.
